The Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) market has seen a huge increase in demand in the last couple of years. Today almost every automaker in India has an SUV or a compact SUV to its name or is already gearing up to launch one soon. In such a lucrative market condition, automakers are now in a bit of a problem with the Supreme Court's recent ban on registration of Luxury SUVs above 2000cc in Delhi.
While the ban is only temporary i.e. till March 2016, SUV and luxury carmakers are in turmoil as an array of new and face lifted SUVs are slated to launch in India next year. Hoping to see a definitive solution soon, here are the top SUVs that will be launching in India in 2016.
1) 2016 Ford Endeavour:
The new generation Ford Endeavour is all set to hit the Indian car market early next year. Unveiled just few months back, the SUV comes with a new design language that makes it look all the more muscular and premium. The SUV will come with some striking exterior features like the massive chrome grille, new headlamps and beefy bonnet; along with a completely redesigned cabin equipped with some premium offerings. Under the hood, the new 2016 Ford Endeavour will be powered by a 2.2-litre TDCi engine generating 158bhp and 385 Nm of torque and a 3.2-litre TDCi producing 197 bhp and 470 Nm of torque. Transmission options will include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic gearbox along with both 4x2 and 4x4 drivetrains.
Ford Endeavour Expected Price: Rs. 20 lakh - Rs. 25 lakh
Ford Endeavour Expected Launch Date: January 2016
2) Mahindra KUV100:
The Mahindra KUV100 sub-compact SUV is probably one of the most awaited cars that are set to be launched in early 2016. Mahindra today revealed the official name of the SUV along with some spice details regarding the offerings of the KUV100. The KUV100 will come with some stylish features like projector headlamps, DRLs, smart character lines and a tall boy stance. As for its powerhouse, KUV100 will be powered Mahindra's all-new m-Falcon petrol and diesel engines named G80 and D75 respectively. The petrol units delivers a maximum of 82 bhp and 114 Nm of peak torque, while the oil burner produces 77 bhp and 190 Nm of peak torque. Transmission option will likely include a five-speed manual gearbox.
Mahindra S101 Expected Price: Rs. 5.5 lakh - Rs. 8 lakh
Mahindra S101 Expected Launch Date: Early 2016 (expected)
3) Maruti Suzuki YBA:
The Maruti YBA aka Vitara Brezza will be the first compact SUV to be launched by Maruti Suzuki India. The model is based on the same design platform at the Swift and shows some minor resemblance to the latter around the roofline and the C-Pillar. The car will comes with some premium features both on the outside as well the inside, making it worthy of being a Nexa product. Under the hood the YBA is expected to come with a 1.2-litre K-Series VVT petrol engine and the 1.3-litre DDiS diesel unit that underpins both the Swift and the Baleno. Both the units will come mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, while the petrol engine is likely to get a CVT option as well.
(Image Source: Indiahoods.com)
Maruti Suzuki YBA Expected Price: Rs. 6.5 lakh to Rs. 9 lakh
Maruti Suzuki YBA Expected Launch Date: First Quarter 2016
4) Honda BR-V:
First showcased at the 2015 Indonesian Motor Show, the Honda BR-V will be the Japanese carmaker's first compact SUV for the Indian car market. In terms of design the car comes with quite an aggressive stance along with some striking character likes. Under the hood the SUV features a 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine that delivers 117bhp and a peak torque of 146 Nm along with a 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel unit that makes 99bhp and 200 Nm of torque. Transmission option will include Honda's signature CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) gearbox along with a 5-speed and 6-speed manual units.
Honda BR-V Expected Price: Rs. 9 lakh to Rs. 13 lakh
Honda BR-V Expected Launch Date: Mid-2016
5) Tata Hexa:
The Tata Hexa will be the home-grown carmaker's next player for the premium SUV segment after the Tata Aria. Based on the same design language as the Aria, the upcoming Tata Hexa looks bolder, more stylish and well-equipped. The SUV comes with Tata's HORIZONEXT philosophy along with features like projector headlamps, aggressive styling, premium interiors and much more. Powering Tata's new beast will be the new 154 bhp, 2.2-litre VARICOR engine with a peak torque of 400 Nm that also powers the top-of-the-line Tata Safari Storme. Transmission duties will be taken care of by the newly developed six-speed manual gearbox, while Tata might also introduce an automatic transmission with the SUV.
Tata Hexa Expected Price: Rs. 12 lakh to Rs. 18 lakh
Tata Hexa Expected Launch Date: Mid-2016
6) Renault Duster Facelift:
Renault has finally decided to give its most popular product in India, the Duster compact SUV, a full-fledged facelift. The new Renault Duster facelift will be officially unveiled at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo, followed by its launch soon after. The new Duster comes with some considerable cosmetic upgrades and minor design changes. As far as engine options go, the Renault Duster facelift will be powered by the same engines that do duty on the outgoing model - the 1.5-litre dCi diesel and 1.6-litre petrol.
Renault Duster Expected Price: Rs. 9.5 lakh to Rs. 15 lakh
Renault Duster Expected Launch Date: March-2016
7) 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan:
The Volkswagen Tiguan is one of the five upcoming cars that the German carmaker promised to launch in India in next two year. Likely to be Volkswagen India's first launch for 2016-17 fiscal, the Tiguan is expected to make its India debut at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo. First unveiled 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Tiguan SUV is based on the company's popular MQB platform and is marginally longer and wider than the previous model. Coming to powertrain options, the new VW Tiguan is likely to be powered by a 2.0-litre TDI diesel and a 1.8-litre TFSI petrol and will come in both FWD and AWD drivetrain options.
Volkswagen Tiguan Expected Price: Rs. 20 lakh to Rs. 25 lakh
Volkswagen Tiguan Expected Launch Date: Mid-2016
8) Ssangyong Tivoli:
Launched earlier this year in the Korean market, the Ssangyong Tivoli will be the second SUV to join the carmaker's Indian line up. Based on the XIV-Adventure concept that SsangYong had showed at the 2014 Paris Motor Show and finally ready to find its way to the Indian shore next year. The SUV will be launched in the compact SUV segment and will go up against the likes of the new Renault Duster and Hyundai Creta.
Ssangyong Tivoli Expected Price: Rs. 10 Lakh to Rs. 15 lakh
Ssangyong Tivoli Expected Launch Date: Second-half of 2016
9) New Mitsubishi Pajero Sport:
Earlier this year, Mitsubishi finally revealed the new generation Pajero Sport, which is all set to come back to the Indian market with new design, premium styling and loads of new features. The premium SUV comes with an all-new design language that gives it a sleeker appearance compared to the boxy design of the previous model. Under the hood is a 2.4-litre MIVEC turbodiesel engine which is mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox that was created specifically for the new Pajero Sport. The output of the engine hasn't been disclosed but it will be close to 150bhp.
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Expected Price: Rs. 10 Lakh to Rs. 15 lakh
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Expected Launch Date: Second-half of 2016
10) Jeep Grand Cherokee:
Fiat India is all set to launch the Jeep brand in India next year and the first product to be offered by the American carmaker will be the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The SUV will initially reach the Indian shores via CBU route, while local assembly is a plan for the future. The upcoming Jeep Grand Cherokee will go up against the likes of Audi Q5, Land Rover Discovery Sport and BMW X5.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Expected Price: Rs. 40 lakh to Rs. 45 Lakh
Jeep Grand Cherokee Expected Launch Date: Mid-2016
11) Jeep Wrangler:
The Jeep Wrangler will be the second Jeep product to be launched in the Indian after the Grand Cherokee. While the Grand Cherokee comes with a more modern and premium persona, the Wrangle still carries the old school, boxy Jeep design. The Jeep Wrangler will be a premium off-roader and the first of its kind in India.
Jeep Wrangler Expected Price: Rs. 30 lakh to Rs. 35 Lakh
Jeep Wrangler Expected Launch Date: Mid-2016
